The rally was organized by the Unitd Steelworkers union and the United Automobile Workers, whose members are among the hardest hit by the recession.

On Capitol Hill, more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers took to the House floor to call for a change in administration economic policy and admission from the White House that its ''supply side'' economics has failed. In addition to the Capitol Hill ceremonies, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has asked candidates to speak out around the country on the occasion.